Fine Scale Measurements of Microwave Backscatter from the Ocean Surface
Abstract
Background information necessary to understand the operation of the radar includes a review of the radar range equation for short pulse-radars and basic sampled array theory. A detailed description of the proposed X-Band focused array system is given. Also included are predictions of signal-to-noise ratio as a function of range, and discussion of the data acquisition system. A processing algorithm has been used to simulate the response of the proposed system to a hypothetical tilt modulated ocean surface. This software has been used as a design tool in evaluating the proposed radar, but may also serve as the core of a processing algorithm used in processing actual data. We present simulations of the response of the radar to point targets at several signal-to- noise levels. The last chapter discusses how such a system might be used in applications of interest to oceanographers and others interested in interactions of electromagnetic radiation with the ocean surface. An obvious application is to study backscatter as a function of ocean sea state. In particular, the ability to degrade azimuthal and range resolution in software will allow the dependence of backscattering statistics on pixel size to be studied. The issue of what mechanism causes waves to appear in SAR generated ocean images may also be studied experimentally with this radar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA229954
Entities
People
- James B. Mead